There are many options when it comes to replacing a missing or severely damaged tooth, and two of the more common treatments are dental bridges and dental implants. Your San Jose dental implants expert can help you determine the best option for your oral health. However, it’s helpful to know the key differences between choosing a tooth implant vs dental bridge.
Understanding Tooth Implants and Dental Bridges
- A dental bridge places a replacement tooth onto the gum line and effectively holds it in place with porcelain wings – or crowns – that are permanently fixed on the neighboring teeth.
- A dental implant is a titanium post surgically affixed into the jawbone (instead of being placed on the gum line). Therefore, it acts as an anchor or artificial tooth root that can hold a natural-looking replacement tooth or teeth in place.
Note that dental bridges and dental implants are not necessarily stand-alone treatments or your only options when it comes to solutions for missing or damaged teeth. Depending on your distinctive needs, your San Jose dental implants specialist may suggest an alternative or hybrid treatment, like an implant supported bridge.
Average Cost of Dental Implants and Dental Bridges
Although dental implants are generally more expensive, they represent a more permanent solution that is often better for your jawbone and your oral health. The cost of dental bridges is generally lower initially. However, you may also need future treatments, as dental bridges typically last between 5 and 15 years. Also, unlike dental implants, dental bridges do not treat other issues with your teeth, such as significant bone loss in the gum line.
Pros and Cons of Dental Bridges
Pros
- Dental bridges are a minimally invasive procedure and are generally a faster total process than dental implant surgery.
- Dental bridges tend to have a lower upfront cost (although both implants and bridges may be covered by your dental insurance).
- Dental bridges have beautiful and immediate results, and your smile will be perfected as soon as the procedure is complete.
Cons
- Dental bridges need to be replaced eventually, so it is not a permanent solution.
- Dental bridges do not protect your long-term oral health or address other issues, such as bone loss, damage to neighboring teeth, or other health issues in the gumline.
Pros and Cons of Dental Implants
Pros
- Dental implants are a long-lasting solution that strengthens your jawbone and your gum line.
- Dental implants can help protect against future issues, like additional bone loss, as the implants act as artificial tooth roots.
- Dental implants do not impact on the surrounding teeth, and do not rely on neighboring teeth to support the artificial tooth, like a dental bridge.
- Dental implants will perfect your smile like bridges as soon as the procedure is complete.
Cons
- Dental implants are a more invasive procedure.
- Dental implants are often not recommended for younger patients whose jaw bones are still growing.
Schedule Your Consultation with Pannu Dental Group
In addition to utilizing cutting-edge robotic surgery for dental implants, Pannu Dental Group is committed to ensuring that every patient receives personalized care tailored to their unique dental needs. Our team stays at the forefront of dental advancements to provide practical and minimally invasive procedures, ensuring faster recovery times and improved outcomes.
Whether you need a single tooth replacement or more comprehensive restorative dental work, our specialists will work closely with you to determine the best approach, offering options for tooth implants or dental bridges based on your situation. It’s always important to know your options when it comes to a tooth implant vs. dental bridge.
Reach out to the caring experts at Pannu Dental Group to start the conversation. Explore how you can improve your oral health and smile for many decades to come.
Let us help you regain your confidence with a healthy, radiant smile.
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We proudly serve the Bay Area with convenient dental office locations in Sunnyvale, CA, and Fremont, CA. Our expert dentists are ready to provide top-quality care at each location.
Dr. Dalvir S. Pannu has been a practicing dentist since 1995. In 1996 he opened his first dental practice in India, where he gained invaluable experience and acumen. In October of 1997 he was invited by the American Dental Association (ADA) to present the table clinic on Endodontics, at their annual session held in Washington, D.C. At this time he fell in love with the United States and became passionate about practicing dentistry in California. He became particularly enamored of the San Francisco Bay area, and soon took up residence and work here.